Dr. Daniel A. Smith, American State and Local Government, Fall 2007

American State and Local Government Spring 2009
POS 2112 MW 8:30-9:20am (Period 2)

Little 109 & TA Discussion Sections

Dr. Daniel A. Smith

Office: 003 Anderson
Office Hours: MW 9:30-11:30 (and by appointment)

Phone: 352.273.2346

Home Page: www.clas.ufl.edu/users/dasmith/

Course Description

State and local governments affect the daily lives of all persons living in the United States. While they have always been important in the formulation and implementation of public policies in the US, their role has increased considerably during the past 20 years. Some observers have called this trend a “resurgence in the states,” as state and local governments have become entrepreneurial actors in realms as diverse as education, corrections, economic development and land use planning, health care, homeland security, environmental protection, and welfare. As state and local governments have taken on more programmatic responsibilities, they have also taken over much of the fiscal responsibility for their innovations. This course examines the politics, institutions, and policy processes of state and local governments. We will strive to assess how (or if) variation in state political institutions shape the politics and policies in different states. Specifically, we will take advantage of our location and focus on the politics, governmental structures, and policies in Florida, Alachua County, and the City of Gainesville. By examining our immediate surroundings, while noting the general patterns and differences across states and localities, we will be able to provide coherence that would not be possible in an effort to understand all state and local governments.

In order to facilitate class discussions, students are encouraged to keep abreast of state and local politics in Florida. There are three excellent web sites that provide links to newspaper accounts dealing with Florida state and local politics:

http://www.flapolitics.com/ http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/ http://www.sayfiereview.com/

Course Requirements

Required Text (available at local bookstores; copies also on reserve at Library West)

Donovan, Todd, Chris Mooney, & Daniel Smith, State and Local Politics: Institutions and Reform (Boston: Cengage, 2008) (Available at area book stores)

In addition, all of the on-line readings (hypertext links are provided in the on-line syllabus) are required. You should either purchase a copy from Target Copy (1412 W. Univ. Ave.) or print the readings out immediately, as the hypertext links are subject to change.

Attendance/Participation
Students are expected to do the readings, attend class, and participate in discussion sections. My lectures will be organized around the topics and readings found in the schedule that follows. I tend to lecture in an quasi-interactive fashion. In order for this to be a successful course, it is imperative that you do the assigned readings before class, give yourself time to think about them, and prepare yourself to discuss them in class and especially in your discussion section. Attendance in your discussion section is mandatory, and the Teaching Assistants (TAs) will take attendance. You must attend the discussion section for which you are officially enrolled. If you cannot attend class on a regular basis, I would urge you to drop this class immediately. Your attendance and participation (in your discussion section and in the general lecture) will count as 10% of your final grade.

Short Papers
Students will write four short papers. These papers, which are aimed to increase student participation in discussion sections, are to be critical reflections on the questions posed in the syllabus each week. Students may choose from any of the 12 opportunities to write their four short papers.

Each short paper is to be two double-spaced pages (10 or 12 point font) and may be written in the first person. A reference page is required if drawing from or citing any literature not in the syllabus.

Your short papers will be graded on the following:

1) A clear introductory statement of your thesis.

2) Your ability to assemble evidence to support your argument.

3) Your ability to write a succinct, well-organized, well-edited short essay.

The short papers are due at the beginning of your designated discussion period for the week of the assignment. Each of the four short papers is worth five points, for a total of 20% of your final grade. TAs will accept no late short papers and you are not permitted to submit a paper on a topic from a prior week.

“Pop” Quizzes
There will be 10 unannounced “pop” quizzes during my general lectures. The quizzes will be on the readings assigned for that day’s class. Quizzes will typically be multiple choice or true/false questions and are designed to show evidence that you’ve done the readings. Each quiz is worth two points, for a total of 20% of your final grade. No makeup quizzes will be permitted except for official University functions that are brought to Dr. Smith’s attention prior to the class you will miss.

Midterm and Final Exams
There are two exams: a midterm and a final. The final is not cumulative. Both exams will test your knowledge of the material covered in the lectures and in the assigned readings. The exams may have short answer and multiple choice questions. Each exam is worth 25% of your final grade. Makeup exams are not permitted except in extenuating circumstances, and may only be arranged by Dr. Smith (and not the TAs) prior to the exam. An unexcused absence on an exam will result in a failing grade for that exam.

Extra Credit

Students may receive two points of extra credit toward their final grade by attending a city commission meeting and writing up a 2-3 page critical analysis of the proceedings. The commission meets on Thursdays, at 1pm, in the City Hall Auditorium, 200 E. University Ave. The critical analysis must be turned to your TA during the discussion section of the week you attended the meeting.

Summary of Grading
“Short Papers”                                        20% (4 x 5% each)
“Pop” Quizzes                                        20% (10 x 2% each)
Midterm Exam                                       25%
Final Exam                                             25%

Discussion Attendance/Participation 10%

Grading

The following cutoffs will be used for grades:

A 90-100

B+ 88-89

B 80-87

C+ 78-79

C 70-77

D+ 68-69

D 60-67

E 59 & below

I do not “curve” exams or final grades. As such, everyone in class may receive an ‘A.’ Only in the rarest of circumstances will I grant an Incomplete (‘I’).

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

All students are expected to abide by the UF Honor Code, which reads, in part: “I affirm that this work in its entirety is mine alone, and that I have received no outside assistance from anyone else, including classmates, other students, or faculty. I understand that plagiarism, seeking or receiving other unauthorized assistance, or any false representations regarding this exam [or other work] are serious offenses punishable under the Student Honor Code.” Any student transgressing UF’s Honor Code will receive an ‘E’ for the course and will be referred to the appropriate University authorities for disciplinary action.

Classroom Decorum

This is a large lecture class. Please be respectful of those students around you. The use of electronic devices such as cell phones and iphones, beepers, PDAs, ipods and mp3s, and other handheld devices in class is prohibited. Please turn them off prior to the lecture. You may use a laptop to take notes if you so desire, but please limit the use of your laptop to taking notes. Because they are often a distraction to other students, use of laptops is limited to the designated section of the auditorium (lower right side). Florida law forbids the surreptitious recording or filming of conversations without the consent of all parties. If you’d like to record my lectures, please get my permission first; recordings may be for your personal use only. I expressly do not grant permission to copy, transcribe, reproduce, or otherwise publicly disseminate materials from my lectures.

Students with Special Needs

It is the responsibility of students requiring any special accommodation for this course to make an appointment to see me at the beginning of the semester. I will make every effort possible to meet your needs in accordance to University guidelines.

Office Hours

If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to consult either me or your TA during our weekly office hours. You may drop by during our scheduled office hours, or you may email us. Unfortunately, due to CLAS budget cuts, we will not be able to respond to any phone messages that are long distance.

Course Schedule

Section I: State Politics in a Federal System

Lecture 1 Course Overview: Studying State & Local Governments

7 Jan Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 1

Lecture 2 Political Institutions and Cultures of State & Local Governments

12 Jan Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 1

Bryce, “Nature of the American State”

Lecture 3 Florida’s Political History

14 Jan Readings:

Colburn, “Florida’s Megatrends” (Introduction)

Fogelsong, “Married to the Mouse” (interview)

Discussion 1 Political Institutions and Cultures of State & Local Governments

15/16 Jan Short Paper #1 Due. Topic: What is the comparative method of political analysis? Provide two examples (not discussed in the readings) of how this method might be useful for explaining patterns of politics and policymaking in Florida compared to other states.

NO CLASS Martin Luther King Day

19 Jan

Lecture 4 History of American Federalism

21 Jan Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 2

Hamilton, “Federalist #17”

Madison, “Federalist #45”

Discussion 2 History of American Federalism

22/23 Jan Short Paper #2 Due. Topic: Compare the powers of Congress under the Articles of Confederation versus those given them by the U.S. Constitution. Make an argument of how the Articles of Confederation could have been “tweaked” so as to preserve the country’s first constitution, rather being gutted entirely. Could an improved Articles sufficed?

Lecture 5 Federalism: State Politics within a Federal System

26 Jan Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 2

Nathan, “In latest cycle, liberals leaning toward states’ rights”

Fehr, “What Obama Could do for the States”

Lecture 6 Federalism: State Politics within a Federal System

28 Jan Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 2

Peterson, “Legislators sound warning on federal rules”
Scheppach, “Will the 2008 improve state-federal relations?”

Discussion 3 Federalism: State Politics within a Federal System

29/30 Jan Short Paper #3 Due. Topic: Speculate on how a confederate system of governance might have responded differently to the events of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

Section II: Linkages between Citizens and States

Lecture 7 Participation, Elections and Representation

2 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 3

Vu, “Election Day Mostly Smooth”

Lecture 8 Participation, Elections and Representation

4 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 3

Gramlich, “Groups Push to expand ex-felon voting”

Discussion 4 Participation, Elections and Representation

5/6 Feb Short Paper #4 Due. Topic: Discuss why some demographic groups are more likely to participate in politics than others. What effect does the participation bias have on policymaking? What, if anything, should be done about it?

Lecture 9 Direct Democracy

9 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 4

Smith & Tolbert, “Educated by Initiative”

Gramlich, “Panolpy of ballot measures await voters”

Lecture 10 Direct Democracy

11 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 4

Salinero, “Businesses Fight Push For Land Use Overhaul”

Smith, “Testimony before the Florida House of Representatives”

Discussion 5 Direct Democracy

12/13 Feb Short Paper #5 Due. Topic: Does direct democracy make government more accountable to the people, or less? Provide specific examples, both pro and con, in your response.

Lecture 11 Political Parties

16 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 5

Prah, “Independent Voters may be Vexed at the Polls”

Lecture 12 Political Parties

18 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 5

Prah, “Will States Fix 2112 Primary System?”

Discussion 6 Political Parties

19/20 Feb Short Paper #6 Due. Topic: Some scholars argue that political parties are necessary in the American system of government. Provide a counter argument, suggesting why parties may be more detrimental to “party in the electorate” considerations.

Lecture 13 Interest Groups

23 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 6

Leary, “Lobbyists Take In $200 million”

Lecture 13 Interest Groups

25 Feb Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 6

Thomas & Hrebenar, “Who’s Got Clout”

Discussion 7 Interest Groups

26/27 Feb Short Paper #7 Due. Topic: Are interest groups are good or bad for representation of citizen’s interests? Providing examples, both pro and con, in your response.

Lecture 14 Elections and Representation: Campaign Finance

2 March Readings:

Vock, “Illinois Law Allows Big Checks to Governor”

MIDTERM EXAM (closed book, closed notes)

4 March

5/6 March NO DISCUSSION SECTIONS

NO CLASS Spring Break

9-13 March

Section III: Institutions and Processes

Lecture 15 State Legislatures

16 March Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 7

Kurtz, “The Most Republican and Democratic Legislatures”

Kelderman & Prah, “Report Chronicles Downside of Term Limits”

Lecture 16 State Legislatures

18 March Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 7

Vock, “Sour Economy Limits States’ Options in 2008”

Discussion 8 State Legislatures

19/20 March Short Paper #9 Due. Topic: How well do you think women are represented in state legislatures? How and why has the number of women legislators changed over time, and in your opinion, do you think there’s a problem with the current level of women legislators?

Lecture 17 Governors

23 March Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 8

Knapp, “Govs’ Salaries Range from $1 to $206,500”

Gramlich, “Furor over Senate Seat not Unique to Illinois”

Lecture 18 Governors

24 March Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 8

Vock, “Govs enjoy quirky veto power”
Peterson, “Governors lose in power struggle over National Guard”

Discussion 9 Governors

26/27 March Short Paper #10 Due. Topic: How important is a governor’s veto power? How do these powers vary across the states? Do you think governor’s should have strong, or weak, veto powers? Why or why not?

Lecture 19 State Courts

30 March Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 9

Gramlich, “Nasty judicial races renew complaints”

Liptak, “Rendering Justice, With one Eye on Reelection”

Lecture 20 State Courts

1 April Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 9

Vock, “In-state Tuition Law Faces Challenge”

Discussion 10 State Courts

2/3 April Short Paper #11 Due. Topic: Discuss how state supreme courts can affect public policy. Do you think judges who are elected may affect public policy differently than those who are appointed? Give specific examples in your answer.

Section III: State & Local Public Policy

Lecture 21 State & Local Fiscal Policy

6 April Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 10

Prah, “Budget gap could widen to $200 billion”

Lecture 22 Local Government

8 April Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 11

Rolland, “Commissioners OK Amendment Wording”

Discussion 11 State & Local Fiscal Policy and Local Government

9/10 April Short Paper #12 Due. Topic: Discuss the recent citywide vote on Gainesville’s transgendered ordinance. What were the arguments pro and con, and do you think the popular vote is representative of the public will? Why or why not?

Lecture 23 Morality Policy

13 April Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 13

Vestal, “Embryonic stem cell research divides states”
Gramlich, “3 States, including CA, ban gay marriage”

Lecture 24 Social Welfare and Health Care Policy

15 April Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 14

Families USA, “A Painful Recession”

AP, “Welfare Exploding in Florida due to Recession”

Discussion 12 Morality and Social Welfare Policy

16/17 April Short Paper #13 Due. Topic: Write a letter to Rep. Larry Cretul, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, expressing your stance on the financing of higher education in the state of Florida, with particular concern to the budget crisis at UF. His email is: larry.cretul@myflorida house.gov. A fact sheet on funding levels of higher education, and the budget cuts UF is facing, is available here: http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/dasmith/UFcuts.pdf You should print out and turn in your letter to your TA at the time of your class discussion section.

Lecture 25 Education Policy

20 April Readings:

Donovan, Mooney, & Smith, chapter 15

Peterson, “No letup in unrest over Bush school law”

Malone & Sadovi, “Arne Duncan to tackle 'No Child' Policy”

Lecture 26 Review Session

22 April Readings:

None

FINAL EXAM (closed book, closed notes)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 12:30-2:30pm, Little 109